GMCT

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

GMCT works to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy in conflicting situations, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.

Drs. John and Julie Gottman developed nine components of healthy relationships known as The Sound Relationship House Theory. These include:

1. Love Maps

How well do you know your partner’s inner psychological world, history, worries, stresses, joys, and hopes? 

2. Share Fondness and Admiration

The antidote for contempt, this level focuses on the amount of affection and respect within a relationship. (To strengthen fondness and admiration, express appreciation and respect.)

3. Turn Towards Instead of Away

State your needs, be aware of bids for connection, and respond to (turn towards) them. The small moments of everyday life are the building blocks of relationships.

4. The Positive Perspective

The presence of a positive approach to problem-solving and the success of repair attempts.

5. Manage Conflict

We say “manage” conflict rather than “resolve” conflict, because relationship conflict is natural and has functional, positive aspects. Understand that there is a critical difference in handling perpetual problems and solvable problems.

6. Make Life Dreams Come True

Create an atmosphere that encourages each person to talk honestly about his or her hopes, values, convictions and aspirations.

7. Create Shared Meaning

Understand important visions, narratives, myths, and metaphors about your relationship.

8. Trust

Trust is the state that occurs when a person knows that his or her partner acts and thinks to maximize that person’s best interests and benefits, not just the partner’s interests and benefits. In other words, this means, “my partner has my back and is there for me.”

9. Commitment

Commitment means believing (and acting on the belief) that your relationship with this person is entirely your lifelong journey, for better or for worse (meaning that if it gets worse, you will both work to improve it). It implies cherishing your partner’s positive qualities and nurturing gratitude by comparing the partner favorably with real or imagined others, rather than trashing the partner by negative magnifying qualities, and nurturing resentment by comparing unfavorably with real or imagined others.

The Gottman Method is designed to support couples across all economic, racial, sexual orientation, and cultural sectors.

Some of the relationship issues that are addressed in therapy include:

• Frequent conflict and arguments
• Poor communication
• Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
• Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting
• Even couples with “normal” levels of conflict may benefit from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Gottman-trained therapists help couples build stronger relationships and healthier ways to cope with issues as they arise in the future. You can find more about GMTC at the Gottman Referral Network.